Delivery vehicle and facility loading and unloading shelf system

ABSTRACT

Vehicle shelf systems having indicators thereon for improving loading and delivery efficiency. Items are scanned for loading, and the indicators on the vehicle shelves identify where to place the item based on the sequence of the delivery point along the delivery route. A mobile computing device alerts a delivery carrier when the delivery vehicle is in proximity to a delivery point when an item is to be delivered.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57. Thisapplication claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/570,437, filed Oct. 10, 2017, the entire contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND Field

The present application relates to devices and methods for loading andunloading items to and from a shelf system, such as in a facility or adelivery vehicle.

SUMMARY

Some aspects described herein include a system for loading items whichcomprises a plurality of shelves, the shelves configured to receive oneor more items, each of the plurality of shelves having an indicatorthereon, the indicator comprising a plurality of indicating components;a mobile computing device configured to scan an item to be loaded and togenerate scan information for the item to be loaded; a processor incommunication with the mobile computing device and with the indicator;and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing aloading plan for the one or more items; wherein the processor isconfigured to receive the scan information from the scanner for the itemto be loaded, to determine a proposed shelf location for the item to beloaded based on the scan information and the loading plan for the itemto be loaded, and to actuate selected indicating components from the oneor more indicating components, the selected indicating componentscorresponding to the proposed shelf location.

In some embodiments, the plurality of shelves are located on a deliveryvehicle.

In some embodiments, the plurality of shelves are located in adistribution facility.

In some embodiments, the indicating components comprise a plurality oflight emitting diodes aligned along a length of each of the plurality ofshelves.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine,from the scan information, a dimension of the item to be loaded, and toactuate one or more of the plurality of light emitting diodes along thelength of one of the plurality of shelves based on the determineddimension of the item.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a sensor located oneach of the plurality of shelves, the sensor configured to sense thepresence of items on the shelves and to communicate the sensed presenceof items to the processor.

In some embodiments, the processor is configured to generate the loadingplan based on the received scan information and to store the loadingplan in the memory.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to generate aloading plan by segmenting the plurality of shelves into segments havinga fixed length, the fixed length corresponding to the distance betweenpairs of the plurality of indicating components along the length of theshelf, and to determine a proposed shelf location by allocating one ormore of segments on one of the plurality of shelves according to adimension of the item to be loaded.

In another aspect described herein, a method of loading a vehiclecomprises scanning a label on an item to be loaded into a vehicle, thevehicle comprising a plurality of shelves; obtaining item informationbased on the scan of the label; determining a proposed shelf locationfor the item on one of the plurality of shelves based on the iteminformation; actuating one or more indicating components disposed on theplurality of shelves, wherein the one or more actuated indicatingcomponents correspond with the proposed shelf location for the item; andplacing the item on the one of the plurality shelves in the proposedshelf location.

In some embodiments, the one or more indicating components comprise aplurality of light emitting diodes aligned along a length of each of theplurality of shelves.

In some embodiments, the item information comprises a dimension of theitem to be loaded.

In some embodiments, actuating the one or more indicating componentscomprises activating a number of the plurality of light emitting diodesbased on the dimension of the item to be loaded.

In some embodiments, the item information comprises a stop sequencenumber associated with a delivery point to which the item is intended tobe delivered.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises generating anindication that the item has been loaded into the proposed shelflocation.

In some embodiments, generating the indication that the item has beenloaded into the proposed shelf location comprises sensing, via one ormore sensors disposed on the plurality of shelves, the presence of theitem.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises delivering the item tobe loaded to a delivery point associated with an intended recipient ofthe item.

In some embodiments, delivering the item comprises detecting a locationof the vehicle along a delivery route; determine whether the location ofthe vehicle is within a defined distance to the delivery pointassociated with the intended recipient of the item; providing an alertvia the mobile computing device if the location of the vehicle is withinthe defined distance to the delivery point associated with the intendedrecipient of the item; and actuating one or more indicating componentscorresponding to the item's location on the plurality of shelves.

In another aspect described herein, a system for delivering itemscomprises a plurality of items stored on a plurality of shelves in adelivery vehicle, each of the plurality of shelves including anindicator, the indicator comprising a plurality of indicatingcomponents; a mobile computing device comprising a geographic locationsystem; a memory storing a location of each of the plurality of itemsstored on the plurality of shelves in the delivery vehicle; a processorin communication with the memory, wherein the processor is configuredto: receive the geographic location of the mobile computing device;determine whether the geographic location of the mobile computing deviceis within a defined distance to the delivery point a delivery point towhich one of the plurality of items is to be delivered; if thegeographic location of the mobile computing device within the defineddistance to the delivery point, query the memory to determine thelocation of the one of the plurality of items on the plurality ofshelves; actuate selected ones of the plurality of inidicatingcomponents corresponding to the location of the item to be delivered tothe delivery point; and activate an alert on the mobile computing deviceindicating that there is an item to be delivered to the delivery point.

In some embodiments, the plurality indicating components comprise aplurality of light emitting diodes aligned along a length of each of theplurality of shelves.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to illuminate aset of the plurality of light emitting diodes extending along a lengthof one of the plurality of shelves a distance corresponding to adimension of the item to be delivered to the delivery point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an open rear portion of a deliveryvehicle having shelves for holding distribution items.

FIG. 1B is a close up view of an embodiment of an indicator on a shelfin a delivery vehicle.

FIG. 1C is a close up view of an embodiment of an illuminated indicatoron a shelf in a delivery vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for loading avehicle and delivering items.

FIG. 3 is flow chart describing an exemplary process for loading avehicle.

FIG. 4 is flow chart describing an exemplary process for delivering itemusing a vehicle having indicators on shelves in the delivery vehicle.

FIG. 5A depicts an embodiment of a table storing item information.

FIG. 5B depicts an embodiment of a table of addresses and stoplocations.

FIG. 5C depicts an embodiment of a table populated during vehicleloading operations.

FIG. 6A depicts an exemplary interface screen for use in loading anddelivering items.

FIG. 6B depicts an exemplary interface screen for loading a vehicle.

FIG. 6C depicts an exemplary interface screen for loading a vehiclehaving values populated therein.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system delivering items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of thepresent disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated inthe Figures, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in awide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitlycontemplated and make part of this disclosure.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment”, or“in some embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the invention. Moreover, the appearance ofthese or similar phrases throughout the specification does notnecessarily mean that these phrases all refer to the same embodiment,nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutuallyexclusive. Various features are described herein which may be exhibitedby some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirementsare described which may be requirements for some embodiments but may notbe requirements for other embodiments.

As used herein, an item or a distribution item can be a parcel, apackage, an envelope, a flat, a mailpiece, a box, a suitcase, or anyother item that is routinely or commonly transported from one locationto another by a distribution entity. A distribution entity may be anentity engaged in transporting items from one location to another, suchas the United States Postal Service (USPS), another commercial carrier,a storage facility, a fulfillment warehouse, a luggage sorting facility,or any other similar facility, company, or entity.

Using the USPS as an example, an item, such as a parcel, mailpiece, orthe like has a label thereon, or information printed directly on theitem (also referred to herein as a “label”), which indicates, amongother things, a sender, a delivery point (destination or address), aclass of service, postage, a tracking code. The labels include canencode all or a part of the above information in one or more computerreadable codes. In some embodiments, the labels can include a uniqueitem identifier either encoded or non-encoded.

As used herein, a distribution network may comprise multiple levels. Forexample, a distribution network may comprise regional distributionfacilities, delivery hubs, and unit delivery facilities, or any otherfacility at an intermediate level in the distribution network. Forexample, a nationwide distribution network may comprise one or moreregional distribution facilities having a defined coverage area (such asa geographic area), designated to receive items from intake facilitieswithin the defined coverage area or from other regional distributionfacilities. The regional distribution facility can sort items fordelivery to another regional distribution facility, or to a hub levelfacility within the regional distributional facility's coverage area. Aregional distribution facility can have one or more hub level facilitieswithin its defined coverage area. A hub level facility can be affiliatedwith a few or many unit delivery facilities, and can sort and deliveritems to the unit delivery facilities with which it is associated. Inthe case of the United States Postal Service, the unit delivery facilitymay be associated with a ZIP Code. The unit delivery facility can inductitems from local senders, and receive items from hub level facilitiesand/or regional distribution facilities. The unit delivery facility alsosorts and stages the items intended for delivery to destinations withinthe unit delivery facility's coverage area.

Delivering items, such as packages or parcels, may require manuallyloading the packages or parcels into a delivery vehicle at adistribution facility. As a vehicle may have multiple stops along adelivery route, it can save time to load packages that are to bedelivered later in the route further in the vehicle, and packages to bedelivered earlier on the route near the rear door of the vehicle. Thisloading scheme can require the delivery resource, such as a mailcarrier, to have a detailed understanding the route and the sequence ofthe delivery points along the route, in order to know which packagesshould be loaded into the vehicle first, and which should be loadedlater. A new carrier or a substitute carrier may be unfamiliar with theroute, and may not load the vehicle efficiently. This can result inadditional time on the delivery route, as the carrier searches throughthe vehicle to find the items intended for delivery to a particulardelivery point. Further, efficient loading may be difficult when thevolume of packages is high. Additionally, packages come in variousshapes and sizes, which can complicate the vehicle loading process.

When items cannot be or are not intended to be delivered to deliverypoints, they can be delivered to a distribution network facility to bepicked up by the intended recipients. In the example of the USPS, thiscan be a post office. An intended recipient may receive an indicationfrom the USPS that there is an item at the post office to be picked up.The post office may have an area with a plurality of shelves and/orother designated storage locations for storing items which are to bepicked up. When an intended recipient arrives to pick up an item, thepostal worker may need to sort through a large number of items on theplurality of shelves or storage locations to identify the item for theintended recipient. This can increase the time a recipient spendswaiting, and can be inefficient.

The systems and methods described herein, in some aspects, can improvevehicle loading time and to reduce the time spent looking for a packagewhile a carrier is out on the delivery route or in a distributionfacility. For example, the delivery vehicle can have shelving units andfloor areas having indicators thereon. The indicators can be lights orother indicators that can be activated or illuminated as required. Whena carrier or other entity is loading packages on to the vehicle, thecarrier scans a label on the item. After the label is scanned, one ormore indicators on the shelves in the vehicle will illuminate toindicate to a carrier where to put a package. Additionally, when thevehicle is out for delivery, the carrier can be alerted when the vehiclecomes within a geofence around or proximity to a delivery point. Whenthere is a package on the vehicle intended for delivery at that deliverypoint, the indicators can illuminate to show where the package is thatis to be delivered at the delivery point. These and other processes willbe described in greater detail below.

FIG. 1A depicts a view of the rear portion of a delivery vehicle havingshelves therein. The vehicle 100 can be similar to a USPS deliverytruck. The vehicle 100 has a cargo portion 102 and a driver portion 103,with the driver portion 103 positioned forward or ahead of the cargoportion 102. The cargo portion 102 is accessible from the driver portion103 via a doorway 105. The cargo portion 102 is accessible from outsidethe vehicle 100 via a door 104.

Within the cargo portion 102 are a floor 110 and a plurality of shelves120 a-d. The floor 110 can be the floor of the vehicle 100, and hasstorage areas 112 a and 112 b. The storage areas 112 a and 112 b can bedesignated by a marking material, such as tape, by markings on walls ofthe cargo portion 102, or by any other desired delineation mechanism.The storage areas 112 a and 112 b can be bounded, bordered, or lined byone or more floor indicators 114.

The plurality of shelves 120 a-d can each have an indicator 122 disposedon a surface thereof. The plurality of shelves 120 a-d can also includeone or more sensors 123 attached to a surface of one or more of theshelves 120 a-d or attached proximate one or more of the pluralityshelves 120 a-d. The sensors 123 can be photoelectric sensors,ultrasonic sensors, weight sensors, cameras, and the like. The one ormore sensors 123 are configured to identify when an item, such as apackage, is placed on or removed from one of the plurality of shelves120 a-d.

Although FIG. 1A depicts a plurality of shelves 120 a-d in a deliveryvehicle, a person of skill in the art, guided by this disclosure, willunderstand that the plurality of shelves 120 a-d and the featuresdescribed herein can be in a distribution facility, such as a postoffice or sorting facility.

FIG. 1B depicts a close up view of one of the plurality of shelves 120a-d. The shelf 120 a has an indicator 122 attached to a front edge 124of the shelf 122 a. The indicator 122 extends along a length of theshelf 120 a from a first end 126 of the shelf to a second end 128 of theshelf. The shelf 120 a as well as the indicator 122 can extend beyondthe area designated as a second end 128 depicted in FIG. 1B. in someembodiments, the indicator 122 extends along the entire front edge 124of the shelf 122 a.

The indicator 122 may comprises a plurality of indication devices, suchas light emitting diodes (LEDs) 142. Although described here as LEDs,the indication devices in the indicator 122 can be a variety of lights,such as incandescent bulbs, a liquid crystal display, e-ink, or anyother desired indicator. In some embodiments, the LEDs 142 are aplurality of discrete units extending in one or more rows along thelength of the indicator 122. In some embodiments, the LEDs 142 areindividually actuateable LEDs 142. The LEDs 142 are powered from a powersource (not shown) and are in electrical communication with and areunder the control of a processor which controls activation anddeactivation of the LEDs 142.

The LEDs 142 are spaced apart along the length of the indicator 122 andthe shelf 122 a. in some embodiments, the LEDs 142 are spaced at a knownor fixed distance apart, for example, from centerline to centerline ofeach LED 142. In some embodiments, the LEDs 142 can have a separation of1 cm, ½ inch, 1 inch, or any other desired spacing. The spacing orseparation can be determined based on the length of the shelf 122 a.

The LEDs 142 can be framed or surrounded by a plurality of outlines 144.The outlines 144 can take a variety of shapes and sizes. In someembodiments, each individual LED 142 is framed by a single outline 144.In some embodiments, the outlines 144 form a shape, such as an arrow, asdepicted, which indicates in which direction the top shelf surface 121is located, on which the package should be placed. For example, if theindicators have outlines 144 depicting arrows pointing up, then the itemshould be loaded onto the top shelf surface 121 onto the shelf 120 a-dfrom above. If the indicators 122 have outlines 144 depicting arrowspointing down, then the item should be loaded onto the shelf below theindicator, or in one of the floor storage areas 112 a-b.

The floor indicators 114 can be similar to the indicators 122 describedabove. In some embodiments, the floor indicators 114 can be rope lights,or other similar devices which at least partially outline or border thestorage areas 112 a and 112 b, and which can be actuated partially orindividually to indicate where an item should be placed.

In some embodiments, the indicators 122 and the floor indicators 114 canbe computer readable codes, alphanumeric identifiers, and the like. Forexample, the indicators 122 can identify shelves with a scannablebarcode and/or an alphanumeric shelf identifier. Such indicators 122will uniquely identify a shelf 120 a-d within the vehicle 100 or withina distribution facility. In some embodiments, the indicators 122 cancomprise any combination of computer readable codes, alphanumericidentifiers, and LEDs 142.

FIG. 1C depicts the portion of the shelf 120 a shown in FIG. 1B having ashelf section or shelf location 145 indicated for receiving an item byilluminating a defined or specific plurality of LEDs 142. The operationand use of the indicators 122 will be described in greater detail below.

FIG. 2 depicts a control system for controlling the loading and deliveryoperations and controlling the indicators 122. A control system 200comprises a controller 210, a mobile computing device 220, an itemdatabase 230, an on-vehicle processor 240, indicators 222, sensors 223,and a vehicle position system 250.

The controller 210 may be located at or associated with any level, orwith multiple levels of the distribution entity. The controller 210 maycomprise or be a component of a processing system implemented with oneor more processors. The controller 210 may be a network ofinterconnected processors housed on one or more terminals. The one ormore processors may be implemented with any combination ofgeneral-purpose microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signalprocessors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmablelogic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gated logic, discretehardware components, dedicated hardware finite state machines, or anyother suitable controller 210 may comprise a processor such as, forexample, a microprocessor, such as a Pentium® processor, a Pentium® Proprocessor, a 8051 processor, a MIPS® processor, a Power PC® processor,an Alpha® processor, a microcontroller, an Intel CORE i7®, j5®, or i3®processor, an AMD Phenom®, Aseries®, or FX® processor, or the like. Theprocessor typically has conventional address lines, conventional datalines, and one or more conventional control lines. The processor may bein communication with a processor memory which may include, for example,RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory,registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form ofstorage medium known in the art. The processor memory may include, forexample, software, at least one software module, instructions, steps ofan algorithm, or any other information. In some embodiments, theprocessor performs processes in accordance with instructions stored inthe processor memory. These processes may include, for example,controlling features and/or components of the expected control system100, and controlling access to and from, and transmitting informationand data to and from the controller 100 and the constituent componentsof the system 200, as will be described herein.

The controller can also comprise a communication feature 212. Thecommunication feature 212 is configured for wired and/or wirelesscommunication with the components of the control system 200. In someembodiments, the communication feature 212 communicates via telephone,cable, fiber-optic, or any other wired communication network. In someembodiments, the communication feature 212 may communicate via cellularnetworks, WLAN networks, or any other wireless network. Thecommunication feature 212 is configured to receive instructions and totransmit and receive information among components of the control system200, and in some embodiments, with a central server (not shown) or otherresource outside the control system 200, as desired.

The mobile computing device 220 can be any mobile computing device, suchas a smartphone, tablet computer, and the like. In some embodiments, themobile computing device can be a specialized hardware device designedfor and carried by delivery carriers. The mobile computing device 220includes a location module 225 which provides location detectioncapability, such as GPS, AGPS, Wi-Fi positioning, multilateration, etc.The mobile computing device 220 can incorporate a scanning capability,such as a laser-type barcode scanner, an optical camera, or other typeof sensor to detect and decode computer readable codes. In someembodiments, the mobile computing device 220 may communicate with thecontroller 210 via cellular networks, WLAN networks, or any otherwireless network.

The item database 230 can be a database having a memory and a processor.The item database 230 can be a separate device, a memory accessible tothe controller 210, or it can be part of the controller 210. The itemdatabase 230 stores information about items, such as packages andparcels, within the distribution network. Item information can includeone or more of the following: item size, weight, description, sender,recipient, intended destination/delivery point, origination point,return address, a tracking number, a unique identifier, class ofservice, postage status, and the like. The item database 230 can storethe item information for each item, or for a plurality of items, thatare available or intended for delivery to delivery points within orserviced by the distribution network.

The item database 230 can also store route information for deliveryroutes serviced by carriers. As an example, a controller 210 and/or anitem database 230 can be associated with a unit delivery facility, suchas a local post office. The route information for each route serviced bythe unit delivery facility, including the delivery points along eachroute, and the order of the delivery points along the delivery route,can be stored in the item database 230.

The item database 230 can also store information about the items beingloaded and unloaded to and from a vehicle or distribution facility asthey are scanned by the mobile computing device 220. This process willbe described in greater detail herein.

The on-vehicle controller 240 can be similar to the controller 210described herein. The on-vehicle controller 240 is located on a deliveryvehicle, and can be integrated into the vehicle's existing computersystems or it can be an additional system added to the vehicle. Theon-vehicle controller 240 stores information about the specific shelvingand floor space arrangement and indicators 222 in the vehicle in whichthe on-vehicle controller 240 is installed. For example, the on-vehiclecontroller stores the number of shelves 120 a-d, the amount of shelfspace and/or floor space, in linear distance and/or area, the distancebetween shelves, and the like. In some embodiments, the shelves 120 a-dcan be divided into equal sized segments to create equal sized shelfsegments onto which the packages will be placed. In some embodiments,space on the shelves 120 a-d can be dynamically appropriated based onthe dimensions of the items to be loaded on the shelf 120 a-d and/or theknown volume of items for loading. In some embodiments, the shelves 120a-d may have a portion which is pre-designated with a particular lengthsegments where common sized parcels, such as USPS flat rate boxes orother standard/common parcel size, and the shelves 120 a-d may have aportion of the shelf which is used for dynamic appropriation intodynamically sized segments.

The on-vehicle controller 240 controls the operation of indicators 222.Indicators 222 can be similar to indicators described elsewhere herein.The on-vehicle controller 240 can also store information regarding theshelves 120 a-d and the storage areas 112 a and 112 b, such as theirdimensions and locations. For example, the on-vehicle controller 240 canstore information regarding the length of the shelf 120 a-d and thenumber of indicators 222 per unit length, the height of one shelf 120a-d above or below another shelf 120 a-d within the cargo portion 102 ofthe vehicle 100. This information can also be stored in the itemdatabase 230 or in another memory accessible by the controller 210.

Where the shelving systems and items are being used in a distributionfacility, the on-vehicle controller 240 is a facility controller thatstores information similar to that described with regard to theon-vehicle controller 240.

The sensors 223 can be similar to those described elsewhere herein. Thesensors 223 are in communication with the on-vehicle controller 240, andare configured to detect the presence or absence of an item on the shelfto which the sensor 223 is attached, to which it is connected, or withwhich it is associated. The sensor 223 will send the detection of thepresence or absence of an item to the on-vehicle controller 240.

The vehicle position system 250 can be a location system, such as GPS,that identifies the position of the vehicle and communicates theposition to the on-vehicle controller 240. The on-vehicle controller240, the mobile computing device 220, and/or the item database 230 canstore information regarding the geographic coordinates of each deliverypoint along the delivery routes in order to provide a signal when thevehicle is near or at a delivery point, based on the geographiccoordinates of the vehicle.

It will be understood that the control system 200 can have all of thecomponents depicted, or that one or more of the components need not bepresent, and the functions of the components could be concentrated intoone or more of the components, such that other components are notpresent. For example, the mobile computing device 220 can use itslocation module 222 to determine the location of the vehicle, as thecarrier will generally carry the mobile computing device 220 with him orher in the vehicle and along the delivery route. In this instance, thevehicle may not need to have a separate vehicle position system 250.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow chart of a process for loading an item on avehicle 100. A process 300 begins in block 302 wherein an item to bedelivered is scanned. In some embodiments, the carrier loading a vehiclehas a plurality of items to load onto a single vehicle. In this case,the indicators on the shelves in the vehicle to be loaded will indicatewhere to place the scanned packages. In some embodiments, the scanningcan occur at a dock, where there are a plurality of packages or itemsintended for delivery to a plurality of delivery points, and thepackages will be loaded into multiple vehicles. In this case, thescanner can indicate which vehicle the package should be loaded into,and corresponding indicators in the specific vehicle will indicate whereto load the package. In some embodiments, the scanning occurs at adistribution facility and packages are being sorted and/or stored toshelves within the distribution facility. In some embodiments, thescanning can occur at an induction point, a regional delivery facility,or a unit delivery facility.

In the example of loading a vehicle, step 302 can includes scanning alabel on the item using a mobile computing device 220. The label caninclude human readable information and computer readable information. Insome embodiments, the item can have one or the other, or both. The labelcan be attached to, adhered to, placed on, or printed directly on theitem. In the case of human readable information, the mobile computingdevice 220 can be take an image of the item, and the label thereon, andperform optical character recognition (OCR) to identify the deliverypoint on the label. In the case of a computer readable information, themobile computing device can take an optical image and OCR a barcode orother code, or can have a laser or light reader that reads andinterprets the computer readable information. The mobile computingdevice 220 can interpret and/or decode the computer readable codes in anon-board processor, or the mobile computing device 220 can send a signalindicative of the read code to the controller 210, where it can beinterpreted and/or decoded. The interpreted or decoded information canbe used to read an item identifier associated with the label and theitem on which the label is located.

The process 300 next moves to block 304, wherein the item delivery pointis identified. In some embodiments, the item delivery point can beidentified by using a scanned item identifier and looking up theassociated information in the item database 230. The item database, asdescribed above, stores information about the item and about thedelivery point for the item. For example, the item identifier can belooked up in the item database 230 to determine what the intendeddelivery point for the item is. The item identifier on the label can bea unique identifier that has a record in a database stored in the itemdatabase 230, and the unique item identifier can be used to identify thedelivery point associated with the unique item identifier.

In some embodiments, the computer readable code, such as an IMb™ mayencode the delivery point, for example, using a ZIP+4+2 format, or othersimilar code. In some embodiments, the delivery point can be identifiedusing the OCR'd image of the label. In some embodiments, the deliverypoint can be identified using two or more of the methods described.

Once the delivery point is identified in block 304, the process 300moves to block 306, wherein the route and item information for the itemis identified. When the delivery point is identified, the controller 210can look up the route and item information in the item database 230.

When the delivery point is known, the controller 230 uses the deliverypoint to identify the route information for the delivery point, and,thus, for the item. The controller 210 looks up at what route thedelivery point is assigned to, and what stop number the delivery pointis along the route.

Upon identifying the route, the mobile computing device 220 can instructa user of the mobile computing device 220 where to put the item so itcan be placed on a correct vehicle, or can identify which vehicle theitem should be on. In some embodiments, for example, where a carrier isloading a delivery vehicle 100 with items that have been sorted to thevehicle 100, the route need not be identified, and the mobile computingdevice 220 can confirm that the item is being loaded on the correctvehicle 100. The mobile computing device 220 can also provide an errormessage if an item is scanned that is not intended for a delivery pointserviced by the vehicle 100 being loaded.

The process 300 then moves to block 308, wherein a proposed shelflocation for the item is identified. The item database 230 stores thestop number of the delivery point along the route. The controller 210communicates the stop number information to the on-vehicle controller240. The on-vehicle controller 240 can determine a proposed shelflocation on one of the shelves 120 a-d or in a floor storage area 112a-b. The on-vehicle controller 240 determines the proposed shelflocation using information regarding the delivery route, anticipateditem volume for the delivery route, the delivery points and their stopnumbers, item size, or any other desired factors. For example, where thescanned item is intended for a destination at the beginning of theroute, the on-vehicle controller 240 may determine the proposed shelflocation at a point on a shelf 120 a-d or a floor storage area 112 a-bnear the back of the cargo portion 102, nearer the door 104 than thedriver portion 103. If the item is indented for a delivery point whichoccurs later in the route, such as in the last half or last quarter, theon-vehicle controller 240 determines a potential item storage locationwhich is nearer the front of the cargo portion, or nearer the driverportion.

Further, where an item has a size and/or weight that exceeds adetermined threshold, the on-vehicle controller 240 can determine aproposed shelf location in one of the floor storage areas 112 a-b. Forexample, where an item is too large to fit on a shelf 120 a-d, is tooheavy for the shelf, or exceeds a weight limit for a carrier to pull offa shelf, the on-vehicle controller can determine that the item should beplaced in one of the floor storage areas 112 a-b.

The on-vehicle controller 240 can also take into account the order ofloading the item onto the vehicle 100 with reference to the total numberof items to be loaded. For example, if the carrier scans an item earlyin the delivery process which is intended for delivery at an early stopnumber, the on-vehicle controller 240 can determine that the item shouldbe placed on a high shelf 120 a-d, so the item is out of the way of acarrier when loading subsequent items. If an early loaded item wasplaced in a floor storage area 112 a-b, it may be stepped on, kicked, orpresent a tripping hazard or other obstacle during loading of subsequentitems.

In some embodiments, in addition to receiving the item delivery point,the on-vehicle controller receives item information from the controller210 or be mobile computing device 220. The item information can includeitem dimensions, weight, and/or special handling instructions. Theon-vehicle controller 240 can include the item dimensions to determinethe proposed shelf location. For example, if an item has a longdimension in one direction, the on-vehicle controller 240 can apportionan appropriate length of one of the shelves 120 a-d to receive the item,and reserve that space for the item. In another example, if an item hasa tall dimension, the on-vehicle controller 240 can apportion a portionof any of shelf 120 a-d, or floor storage area 112 a-b which can fit theitem. If an item is too tall to fit on a top shelf 120 a, 120 c, theon-vehicle controller 240 can apportion a section of a lower shelf 120b, 120 d to receive the item. Once a portion of the shelf is reservedfor an item, the on-vehicle controller 240 can consider that portion ofthe shelf as occupied, and that shelf portion will not be available indetermining proposed shelf locations for subsequent items.

In some embodiments, the scan of a computer readable code on the itemcan indicate whether the item has a standard size or shape. For example,if the item is a flat-rate shipping box, or other standardized box, orknown size container, the scan of the label can communicate the boxtype, and the dimensions will be known. In some embodiments, certainshelves or parts of shelves can be designated with fixed-length segmentsfor receiving items, and can be reserved for items which arestandardized boxes. To illustrate, on a particular shelf, the on-vehiclecontroller 240 can apportion a section of a shelf into dynamically sizedsegments based on item size when determining a load plan or where toplace an item. Another portion of the shelf can be pre-segmented intosizes corresponding to standardized boxes, and when determining proposedshelf locations for items having standardized boxes, the pre-segmentedportions can be identified and illuminated as described herein.

In another example, if an item is heavy, or exceeds a predeterminedweight threshold, the on-vehicle controller 240 can determine theproposed shelf location to be a portion of the floor storage areas 112a-b. In determining the floor storage area 112 a-b as a proposed shelflocation, the on-vehicle controller 240 can also use the dimensions ofthe item and apportion a section of the floor storage area 112 a-bcorresponding to a dimension of the item.

In some embodiments, the determination of the proposed shelf locationdescribed above is performed by the controller 210, and the proposedshelf location for each item is communicated to the on-vehiclecontroller 240 by the controller 210. For example, when the mobilecomputing device 220 scans an item, the controller 210 performs theproposed shelf location determination, and sends the proposed shelflocation to the on-vehicle controller 240. The controller 210 mayreceive an identification of the vehicle 100 being loaded by receiving ascan signal or identifier for the vehicle 100 from the mobile computingdevice 220. This can occur with a carrier scanning a computer readablecode on the vehicle 100, typing in a license plate or other vehicleidentifier, or via a Bluetooth-type connection signal between the mobilecomputing device 220 and the on-vehicle controller 240, or otherconnection with the vehicle 100.

In some embodiments, the controller 210 receives from the distributionentity the items and item information for the route of the vehicle 100.The controller 210 can determine which items are to be loaded on aparticular vehicle and can determine in advance of the actual loadingprocess identify proposed shelf locations for each of the items beforethe items are scanned by the mobile computing device, and store these asa loading plan. Then, when an item is scanned before loading on thevehicle 100, the controller 210 receives the item identifier andcommunicates to the on-vehicle controller 240 the proposed shelflocation for the item from the loading plan.

After a proposed shelf location is determined, the process moves toblock 310, wherein the indicators 122, 114 indicate the proposed shelflocation. In one example, the indicators 122, 114 are lights thatilluminate a shelf location 145, similar to that depicted in FIG. 1C. Asdescribed, the proposed shelf location can appropriate a certain lengthof a shelf 120 a-d. The on-vehicle controller 240 will instruct theindicators 122 to illuminate the portion of the shelf appropriated forthe proposed shelf location. For example, if an item has a length of 12inches, the on-vehicle controller 240 instructs an appropriate number ofLEDs 142 to illuminate to indicate the 12 inch portion of the shelfappropriated for the item. Where the distance between LEDs 142 is oneinch, for example, the on-vehicle controller 240 will instruct 12 LEDs142 to illuminate at a certain point along the length of the shelf 120a-d. A similar process may occur in illuminating LEDs in the floorindicators 114.

In embodiments where the indicators are not LEDs, a person of skill inthe art, guided by this disclosure, will understand how to cause theon-vehicle controller 240 to provide the appropriate indication of theproposed shelf location. For example, if the indicators 122 are LCDscreens, the LCD screen can display the portion of the shelf 120 a-dusing arrows or brighter screen portions on the LCD screen. Where theindicators are spotlights or other type of lights, such as lightsattached to the ceiling of the cargo portion 102, the lights can beactivated to illuminate the proposed shelf locations. In someembodiments, the mobile computing device can display a shelf location oran alphanumeric identifier, which can correspond to an alphanumericidentifier on the shelf 120 a-d.

By illuminating the indicators 122 on one of the shelves 120 a-d, thecarrier can know precisely where to put an item during a loadingprocess. This can increase efficiency in loading the vehicle 100, aseach package need only be handled once while loading, guess work of itemplacement can be eliminated, which reduces the time to load the vehicle100.

In some embodiments, the indicated location may not be acceptable oravailable for a variety of reasons. If the indicated location on theshelf or the floor is not sufficient for the item or is not available,the carrier can input a request for an alternate location for the itemusing the mobile computing device interface. In this case, thecontroller 210 can determine a new proposed shelf location, and can, insome embodiments, remove the previous, but unavailable, shelf area fromthe loading plan.

The process 300 next moves to block 312 wherein the item placement isrecorded. When item placement is recorded, the on-vehicle controller 240can cause the illuminators 122, 114 to turn off. This provides a visualindication to the carrier that the loading process for that item iscomplete. If the indicators do not turn off, the carrier can investigatewhy the item placement has not been confirmed and take appropriateaction.

Item placement can be recorded by one or more of the following methods.In some embodiments, the carrier, after placing the item on the shelf120 a-d at the proposed shelf location, can click, tap, or press abutton on an interface on the mobile computing device confirming thatthe item has been placed at the proposed shelf location.

In some embodiments, the carrier can place the item on the shelf, atwhich point the presence of the item is detected by one or more of thesensors 223. The sensors 223 can send a signal indicating the presenceof the item to the on-vehicle controller 240, which can then communicatewith either the mobile computing device 220, or the controller 210, orboth, to confirm the item has been loaded at the proposed shelflocation. Upon confirmation, the on-vehicle controller 240 stores thecompletion of the loading of the item.

In some embodiments, the carrier can place the item on the proposedshelf location, and scan the item on the shelf, or can scan a code onthe shelf where the item was placed. This can signal the loading processfor the item is complete. In some embodiments, the carrier can scan thenext item to be loaded. The scanning of the next item to be loaded canindicate to the on-vehicle controller 240 that the carrier has placedthe item on the proposed shelf location, and that the loading of thatitem is complete. When the scan of the next item occurs, the proposedshelf location indicators can turn off for the first item, andilluminate the indicators 144 indicating the proposed shelf location ofthe next item.

In some embodiments, one or more of the above methods can be used at thesame time to confirm item loading. For example, sensors 223 can be usedto confirm load, and the mobile computing device 220 can require abutton to be pressed to confirm item loading.

The process next moves to decision state 316, wherein it is determinedwhether all items have been loaded. The controller 210 can receivesignals from the mobile computing device 210 and/or the on-vehiclecontroller 240 indicating that the loading of an item is completed, andstoring the shelf location of the item. The controller 210 can receivethis information and determine whether each of the items intended to beloaded on the vehicle 100 have been loaded. This determination can alsobe done at the on-vehicle controller 240 or in the mobile computingdevice 220, or by a combination of any of these components.

In some embodiments, this determination can be determined by a carrierupon visual inspection of the items to be loaded. The carrier canindicate on the mobile computing device 210 that all items have beenloaded.

If it is determined that not all of the items intended for loading onthe vehicle 100 have been loaded, the process 300 returns to block 302,and the process repeats. If it is determined that all of the itemsintended for loading on the vehicle 100 have been loaded, the process300 moves to block 318 and ends.

After the vehicle is loaded and the carrier is out for delivery, thesystems described herein can improve deliver operations by indicating tothe carrier where items to be delivered are located within the vehiclewhen the vehicle is at or near a delivery point.

FIG. 4 depicts a process for delivering the items loaded, using aprocess similar to that described in FIG. 3, into a cargo portion 102 ofa vehicle 100. As illustrated in FIG. 4, process 400 begins when thecarrier starts her route in step 402. To start the delivery route, thecarrier's route can be programed into the mobile computing device 220.The mobile computing device 220 can then obtain geographic coordinatedata, such as GPS data, for each delivery point along the deliveryroute. In some embodiments, the geographic coordinate data is stored onthe mobile computing device 220. In some embodiments, the geographiccoordinate data for the delivery points is stored in the item database230.

As the carrier travels along the delivery route, the process 400 movesto step 404, wherein the location module 225 identifies the location ofthe mobile computing device 220, which is being carried or transportedby the carrier, such as in the vehicle 100 or on the carrier's person.In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 220 transmits itsgeographic location to the controller 210 at periodic intervals, such asonce a second, or more or less frequently. The mobile computing device220 can communicate the location of the carrier continuously, atintervals, or it can be requested by the controller 210, or both. Thecommunication hub 210 can communicate the location of the mobilecomputing device 220 to the item database 230, to the on-vehiclecontroller 240, or to both.

The system 200 identifies the location of the mobile delivery device 220as corresponding to a delivery point or an address. The location can beidentified when the mobile computing device 220 enters into a geofenceassociated with the delivery point, address, or location to whichdelivery is intended. In some embodiments, the mobile computing device220 can determine it is near a delivery point or address based on thedistance and/or time since the previous address or delivery, which maybe associated with a scan of an item. In some embodiments, the locationcan be identified at a predetermined time before the carrier will be ata particular location, such as the immediately preceding location, or 1to 2 minutes before the carrier is to arrive at a location. The mobilecomputing device 220 can anticipate what the upcoming location, deliverypoint, or address is, based on GPS coordinates and the carrier's route,and query the manifest of items on the vehicle for delivery before thecarrier is actually physically at a particular location or deliverypoint.

When the location of the mobile computing device 220 is identified instep 404, the process 500 moves to decision state 406, wherein it isdetermined whether the location of the mobile computing device 220 isassociated with an item in the manifest on the vehicle 100 intended fordelivery along the carrier's route. The mobile computing device 220 orthe controller 210 can query the manifest, the on-vehicle controller 240or the item database 230 according to the delivery point, using theaddress, geographic coordinates, and the like. In some embodiments, themobile computing device 220 can sent a request to the item database 230,which will query the manifest and determine if an item is intended fordelivery to the delivery point associated with or corresponding to thelocation of the mobile computing device 240.

If no item for the location of the mobile computing device 220 is on themanifest, or no item is intended for delivery to the delivery pointwhere the mobile computing device 220 is located, then the processreturns to step 404.

If the location identified in decision state 406 is associated with anitem in the manifest, the process 400 moves to step 408, wherein themobile computing device 220 creates an alert. The alert can signal,warn, or notify the carrier that an item intended for delivery to thecarrier's current location is on the vehicle 100.

The process 400 moves to step 410, wherein the indicator 122 or 114indicate the location of the item on the shelves 120 a-d that is fordelivery at the delivery point associated with the current location ofthe mobile computing device 220. The controller 210 or the on-vehiclecontroller 240 can determine from the stored loading information, wherethe item is on the shelves 120 a-d or floor area 112 a-b, and send asignal to the indicators 122 or 114 corresponding to the item locationto light up, or otherwise indicate. The indicators 122 or 114 canilluminate or flash, or otherwise signal to help the carrier to quicklyand easily identify the location of the item to be delivered to thecurrent delivery point.

The process 400 moves to step 412, wherein the carrier confirms she haspicked-up the item from the shelf 120 a-d or floor storage area 112 a-b,or delivered the item to the delivery point. This can be done byscanning a label on the item, such as labels described elsewhere herein.The mobile computing device 220 can be used to scan the label, and thelabel information and the scan information can be sent to the controller210 to update the item database 230 regarding item delivery, and toprovide notifications. After the item has been picked up and/or scanned,the indicators 114 or 122 can deactivate or turn off.

The process 400 then moves to decision state 414, wherein it isdetermined whether there are more items to be delivered. If theon-vehicle controller 240, the controller 210, or item database 230, orany combination of these components determines that there are stillitems on the vehicle to be delivered along the carrier route, theprocess 400 returns to step 404, and the process repeats. If there areno further items to be delivered, the process 400 moves to step 416 andends.

FIGS. 5A-C depict screen images available on the mobile computing deviceor on another device, such as an interface with the controller 210, anddepict tables for storing information used in the systems and methodsdescribed herein.

FIG. 5A shows an item table 560 having an identifier field 562,dimensions fields 564, and address fields 566. The identifier field 562can store a unique identifier for each item in the distribution network,or which is intended for delivery to a given geographic area, and canstore other data as desired. The dimensions fields 564 can store itemdimensions, including size and weight. The address fields 566 can storeinformation about the delivery point for the item. The item table 560can be stored in the item database 230 or on the mobile computing device220, or in any other desired location. The item table 562 can bepopulated as items are inducted into the mail stream.

FIG. 5B depicts a stop table 580. The stop table 580 can be stored inthe mobile computing device 220 or the controller 210, or in theon-vehicle controller 240, or in any other desired location. The stoptable 580 includes a stop field 582 and address fields 584. The stoptable 580 can exist for each route and can identify each delivery pointin sequence along a route. In some embodiments, the stop table 580 canbe generated as items are scanned or inducted, and the only stops listedon the stop table will be those having packages or parcels to deliver.The stop table 580 can be generated after an item is scanned and theaddress data of the destination point is identified. The item database230, or other system, as described above can have the sequence ofdelivery points for a given route. As an item is scanned and loaded intothe item table 560, the controller 210, the on-vehicle controller 240,or the mobile computing device 220 looks up the stop number for the itemin the stop table 580, which can be stored, for example, in the itemdatabase 230, which corresponds to the delivery point stored in theaddress fields 566.

FIG. 5C depicts a vehicle load table 590. The vehicle load table 590includes a sequence field 592, an identifier field 594, and otherfields. The vehicle load table 590 can be populated as items arescanned. For example, when a carrier begins loading the vehicle 100before starting a delivery route, the vehicle load table 590 contains noentries. As the items are scanned, the controller 210 obtainsinformation to populate the item table from the item table 560corresponding to the unique identifier scanned on the item and from stoptable 580 corresponding to the stop number for the addresses identifiedin the item table. The item table 560 is populated for each itemscanned, and the item table 560 is sent to the on-vehicle controller240, which uses the information from the item table to assign potentialshelf positions to the items, as described herein. When a proposed shelflocation has been identified and the item has been confirmed to beloaded in that location, the shelf location of the item can be stored inthe vehicle load table 590, for access as the carrier is out on thedelivery route.

FIG. 6A depicts an example of an interface screen for use by a carrieror other distribution network personnel while loading or deliveringitems. The interface 600 can be displayed on the mobile computing device220, or on any other computing device within the system 200. For ease ofexplanation, the discussion of the interface will use the mobilecomputing device 220 interface as an example. The interface 600 hasseveral buttons, including load editing buttons 602, a load button 604and a deliver button 606. The load editing buttons allow a carrieraccess to edit the tables shown in FIGS. 5A-C to correct errors, toupdate information, and/or to manually enter an item, for example, if acomputer readable code cannot be read. In some embodiments, these loadediting buttons 602 are only accessible by a supervisor, or are notvisible or available to the carrier.

The load vehicle button 604 initiates the loading processes describedherein, for example, as described with regard to FIG. 3. The deliverbutton 606 initiates the delivery processes described herein, forexample, as described with regard to FIG. 4.

FIG. 6B depicts an exemplary load interface 610. The load interface 610can include an instruction to scan an item, such as a mailpiece. Thecarrier scans a mailpiece, similar to the process described in step 302of FIG. 3. When the computer readable label on the item is scanned, thecontroller 210, the mobile computing device 220, and/or the on-vehiclecontroller 240 can query the item database 230, for example, the itemtable 560, to identify a record associated with a unique identifierencoded or stored in the computer readable label. The unique identifierfor the item can be displayed in an identifier field 612. When a recordis identified in the item table 560, the address or delivery point ofthe scanned item can be populated in a found address field 614.

The controller 210, the mobile computing device 220, and/or theon-vehicle controller 240 can query the item database 230, for example,the stop table 580, to identify the stop number associated with theaddress or delivery point corresponding to the scanned item. the stopnumber can then be populated in the sequence field 616.

FIG. 6C shows an example of the load interface having values populatedin the identifier field 612, the found address field 614, and thesequence field 616. FIG. 6C further depicts the load interface 610having a load confirmation button 618. As described elsewhere herein,after scanning an item, the indicators 122, 114 will indicate where toplace the item within the vehicle. Once the carrier has placed the itemin the indicated location, the carrier can press the load confirmationbutton 618. Pressing the load confirmation button 618 triggers themobile computing device 220 to move to a state where it can accept ascan of the next item, such as by displaying interface 600 for the nextitem to be scanned.

When all items have been scanned and loaded on the truck, the carriercan press the deliver button 606 to cause the mobile delivery device torun the delivery program, similar to that described with regard to FIG.4.

FIG. 7 depicts a process for handling an item which was not intended foror was unable to be delivered to the actual home or business of theintended recipient. A process 700 begins in block 702, wherein an itemdelivery attempt is made. Process 700 can occur during the deliveryprocess described with regard to FIG. 4. The process moves to decisionstate 704, wherein it is determined whether the item can be delivered.An item may not be deliverable where the item requires a signature,additional postage, has security requirements, such as deliveringcertain pharmaceuticals, where the item is perishable, or where therecipient as requested delivery to a different location. If the item canbe delivered, then process moves to block 706, where the item isdelivered. The process moves to block 718, and ends.

When the item cannot be delivered, the process 700 moves to block 708,wherein the carrier scans a code on the item and a code on the deliveryform. By scanning the item and a computer readable code on a misseddelivery form using the mobile computing device 220, the item isassociated with the code on the missed delivery form, and theassociation is stored by the controller 210, for example, in the itemdatabase 230. The carrier leaves the missed delivery form with therecipient, such as in a mailbox, in a secured receptacle at the deliverypoint, and the like.

Process 700 moves to block 710, wherein the carrier takes thenon-delivered item to the distribution facility. Process 700 moves toblock 712, wherein the item is scanned at the distribution facility viaa scanner, such as the mobile computing device 220, and a proposed shelflocation is provided for the item by the controller 211, similar to theprocess described with regard to FIG. 3. When the shelf location isidentified, the item is stored or placed on the shelf or in the storagelocation. The location of the item on the shelf or in the storage areais associated with the item in an item record, and stored by thecontroller 211.

Process 700 moves to block 714, wherein the missed delivery form isscanned at the distribution facility. To scan the missed delivery format the distribution facility, the intended recipient brings the misseddelivery form, which was left at the delivery point. The clerk or otherperson at the distribution facility scans the code on the misseddelivery form with a scanner at the distribution facility. The scanneris in communication with the controller 211. The controller 211 providesthe location of the item associated with the missed delivery form byobtaining the shelf or storage area associated with the item when theitem was shelved in block 712. The location of the item can be signaledor provided similar to the process described in FIG. 3.

The clerk or other person retrieves the item from the indicated locationand provides the item to the intended recipient. In some embodiments,the intended recipient can use an automated kiosk to scan the code onthe missed delivery form. This scan will alert an employee to retrievethe item. In some embodiments, the items are stored or shelved inelectronic lockers or in accessible storage locations. For example, whenthe missed delivery form is scanned, the electronic locker in which theitem is located can be opened, and the recipient can retrieve the item.In some embodiments, a key can be provided to the recipient after thescan at the automated kiosk that will open a storage area where the itemis stored or shelved.

When the intended recipient receives the item, the process 700 then endsin block 718.

In some embodiments, if the item is not picked up at the distributionfacility before the next scheduled delivery day, the items can bereloaded onto a vehicle for a second, third, etc., attempt at delivery.In this case, at the beginning of the day, a manifest of items whichwere previously stored or shelved in the distribution facility, such asin blocks 710 and 712, is provided to a carrier. The carrier may receivea list of items which are to be delivered to delivery points along thecarrier's assigned route. The carrier can receive a printout with codesthat the carrier can scan, which will cause the indicators on theshelves in the distribution facility to indicate where the items to loadare located. In some embodiments, the carrier's mobile computing device220 will indicate which items are to be loaded, and provide anidentification of their locations on the shelves in the distributionfacility. The carrier can then retrieve the items, load them onto thevehicle, and deliver them as described with regard to FIG. 3.

The present disclosure refers to processor-implemented steps forprocessing information in the system. Instructions can be implemented insoftware, firmware or hardware processors and include any type ofprogrammed step undertaken by components of the system.

The system may be used in connection with various operating systems suchas Linux®, UNIX®, MacOS®, or Microsoft Windows®. The system control maybe written in any conventional programming language such as C, C++,BASIC, Pascal, or Java, and ran under a conventional operating system.C, C++, BASIC, Pascal, Java, and FORTRAN are industry standardprogramming languages for which many commercial compilers can be used tocreate executable code. The system control may also be written usinginterpreted languages such as Perl, Python or Ruby.

Those of skill will further recognize that the various illustrativelogical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described inconnection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented aselectronic hardware, software stored on a computer readable medium andexecutable by a processor, or combinations of both. To clearlyillustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, variousillustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have beendescribed above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether suchfunctionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon theparticular application and design constraints imposed on the overallsystem. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality invarying ways for each particular application, but such embodimentdecisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from thescope of the present invention.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedin connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implementedor performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signalprocessor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on ortransmitted over as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. The steps of a method or algorithm disclosedherein may be implemented in a processor-executable software modulewhich may reside on a computer-readable medium. Memory Computer-readablemedia includes both computer storage media and communication mediaincluding any medium that can be enabled to transfer a computer programfrom one place to another. A storage media may be any available mediathat may be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and notlimitation, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM,CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other medium that may be used to storedesired program code in the form of instructions or data structures andthat may be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection can be properlytermed a computer-readable medium. Disk and disc, as used herein,includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproducedata magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method oralgorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes andinstructions on a machine readable medium and computer-readable medium,which may be incorporated into a computer program product.

The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the systems,devices, and methods disclosed herein. It will be appreciated, however,that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the systems,devices, and methods can be practiced in many ways. As is also statedabove, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology whendescribing certain features or aspects of the invention should not betaken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to berestricted to including any specific characteristics of the features oraspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof the described technology. Such modifications and changes are intendedto fall within the scope of the embodiments. It will also be appreciatedby those of skill in the art that parts included in one embodiment areinterchangeable with other embodiments; one or more parts from adepicted embodiment can be included with other depicted embodiments inany combination. For example, any of the various components describedherein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged orexcluded from other embodiments.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety. To the extent publications and patents or patentapplications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosurecontained in the specification, the specification is intended tosupersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material.

The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,”“containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended anddoes not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

The above description discloses several methods and materials of thepresent invention. This invention is susceptible to modifications in themethods and materials, as well as alterations in the fabrication methodsand equipment. Such modifications will become apparent to those skilledin the art from a consideration of this disclosure or practice of theinvention disclosed herein. Consequently, it is not intended that thisinvention be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, butthat it cover all modifications and alternatives coming within the truescope and spirit of the invention as embodied in the attached claims.

We claim:
 1. A system for loading items comprising: a plurality ofshelves, the shelves configured to receive one or more items, each ofthe plurality of shelves having an indicator thereon, the indicatorcomprising a plurality of indicating components; a mobile computingdevice configured to scan an item to be loaded and to generate scaninformation for the item to be loaded; a processor in communication withthe mobile computing device and with the indicator; and a memory incommunication with the processor, the memory storing a loading plan forthe one or more items; wherein the processor is configured to receivethe scan information from the scanner for the item to be loaded, todetermine a proposed shelf location for the item to be loaded based onthe scan information and the loading plan for the item to be loaded, andto actuate selected indicating components from the one or moreindicating components, the selected indicating components correspondingto the proposed shelf location.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein theplurality of shelves are located on a delivery vehicle.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of shelves are located in a distributionfacility.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicating componentscomprise a plurality of light emitting diodes aligned along a length ofeach of the plurality of shelves.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein theprocessor is further configured to determine, from the scan information,a dimension of the item to be loaded, and to actuate one or more of theplurality of light emitting diodes along the length of one of theplurality of shelves based on the determined dimension of the item. 6.The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor located on each ofthe plurality of shelves, the sensor configured to sense the presence ofitems on the shelves and to communicate the sensed presence of items tothe processor.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor isconfigured to generate the loading plan based on the received scaninformation and to store the loading plan in the memory.
 8. The systemof claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to generate aloading plan by segmenting the plurality of shelves into segments havinga fixed length, the fixed length corresponding to the distance betweenpairs of the plurality of indicating components along the length of theshelf, and to determine a proposed shelf location by allocating one ormore of segments on one of the plurality of shelves according to adimension of the item to be loaded.
 9. A method of loading a vehiclecomprising: scanning a label on an item to be loaded into a vehicle, thevehicle comprising a plurality of shelves; obtaining item informationbased on the scan of the label; determining a proposed shelf locationfor the item on one of the plurality of shelves based on the iteminformation; actuating one or more indicating components disposed on theplurality of shelves, wherein the one or more actuated indicatingcomponents correspond with the proposed shelf location for the item; andplacing the item on the one of the plurality shelves in the proposedshelf location.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or moreindicating components comprise a plurality of light emitting diodesaligned along a length of each of the plurality of shelves.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the item information comprises a dimensionof the item to be loaded.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein actuatingthe one or more indicating components comprises activating a number ofthe plurality of light emitting diodes based on the dimension of theitem to be loaded.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the iteminformation comprises a stop sequence number associated with a deliverypoint to which the item is intended to be delivered.
 14. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising generating an indication that the item hasbeen loaded into the proposed shelf location.
 15. The method of claim14, wherein generating the indication that the item has been loaded intothe proposed shelf location comprises sensing, via one or more sensorsdisposed on the plurality of shelves, the presence of the item.
 16. Themethod of claim 9 further comprising delivering the item to be loaded toa delivery point associated with an intended recipient of the item. 17.The method of claim 16, wherein delivering the item comprises: detectinga location of the vehicle along a delivery route; determine whether thelocation of the vehicle is within a defined distance to the deliverypoint associated with the intended recipient of the item; providing analert via the mobile computing device if the location of the vehicle iswithin the defined distance to the delivery point associated with theintended recipient of the item; and actuating one or more indicatingcomponents corresponding to the item's location on the plurality ofshelves.
 18. A system for delivering items comprising: a plurality ofitems stored on a plurality of shelves in a delivery vehicle, each ofthe plurality of shelves including an indicator, the indicatorcomprising a plurality of indicating components; a mobile computingdevice comprising a geographic location system; a memory storing alocation of each of the plurality of items stored on the plurality ofshelves in the delivery vehicle; a processor in communication with thememory, wherein the processor is configured to: receive the geographiclocation of the mobile computing device; determine whether thegeographic location of the mobile computing device is within a defineddistance to the delivery point a delivery point to which one of theplurality of items is to be delivered; if the geographic location of themobile computing device within the defined distance to the deliverypoint, query the memory to determine the location of the one of theplurality of items on the plurality of shelves; actuate selected ones ofthe plurality of inidicating components corresponding to the location ofthe item to be delivered to the delivery point; and activate an alert onthe mobile computing device indicating that there is an item to bedelivered to the delivery point.
 19. The system of claim 18 wherein theplurality indicating components comprise a plurality of light emittingdiodes aligned along a length of each of the plurality of shelves. 20.The system of claim 19, wherein the processor is further configured toilluminate a set of the plurality of light emitting diodes extendingalong a length of one of the plurality of shelves a distancecorresponding to a dimension of the item to be delivered to the deliverypoint.